Chapter 27
Something Good
Mara opened the pantry door to check on supplies. The weekend guests had devoured almost everything in sight. A family reunion of eight couples who loved every moment on the farm.
One couple, Evan and Will, had visited Chick Inn Time when she and Seth had been collecting eggs.
The two men met while serving overseas with the Air Force and married after they retired from military service.
After reading the page about the hens, they’d wanted to know more about Maki and the others.
It was exactly what she’d hoped. People would be grateful to those who were brave enough to protect their country.
But it had been an emotional meeting. She’d done most of the talking, telling them about Maki’s sense of humor and dedication to the job.
When the men learned Babs was named after Seth, they’d shaken his hand, offered condolences on his loss, and taken photos with Maki and the others.
It had been emotional for her, more so for Seth. She wanted to make him one of his favorite treats, the mini raspberry-apple cheesecakes, but they were out of raspberries. Maybe she’d make a batch of apple chips instead. He loved those too.
Or maybe she’d grab the caramel sauce and drag him into the bedroom. That would definitely ensure he felt good.
The door to the mudroom swung open, and she smiled as Seth walked into the kitchen. “I was just thinking about you. I’m going to make you some apple chips, unless you’d like something else.”
His eyes roved over her and lit up with fire. “I’d like that something else, but later. Tonight, I’d like to take you on a date.”
“A date?”
He nodded and took her hands while he leaned in for a kiss that held all kinds of promises. When he pulled back, she expected them to move to the bedroom, but his eyes twinkled. “What do you say? Can I take you on a date?”
She’d do anything for this man she loved with every cell in her being. “I’d love to go on a date with you.”
His eyes flared. “Good. Grab a sweater. I’d grab it for you, but we’d never leave the room, and I want to take you on a date.”
Laughing, she closed the pantry door and headed to the room. She waved at Fritter, who sat atop the hutch in the living room. “Seth and I are going on a date. We might be late. You’ve got food and water. I’ll see you in a while.”
Feeling like a teenager going on her first date, she grabbed a warm sweater and headed back out to the kitchen. She supposed they hadn’t actually gone on a date yet. All their moments had happened on this farm, a place they both loved.
No movie dates or romantic candlelit dinners at fancy restaurants. Maybe not the conventional way to get to know each other and fall in love, but it was right for them.
When they’d switched out their moccasins for shoes, Seth took her hand and led her down the steps, past the farmhouse, and into the trees beyond.
A romantic stroll through the orchard sounded perfect.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting intriguing shadows and pockets of light beneath the trees. “I love this place.”
Seth lifted her hand to brush a kiss over her knuckles. “Me, too. I didn’t expect to. I thought I was taking a temporary job until I got my feet under me, until I found out if my leg could handle working in a kitchen again.”
Anyone who knew Seth would know that he wouldn’t stop until he achieved his goal.
The doctors might not have been sure he’d walk again, but he’d done it.
He did physical therapy exercises every morning to ensure he kept his leg in top shape.
“You can do anything you set your mind to. How do you feel about farm life now?”
He grinned at her, sexy mischief in his eyes. “Now, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I want to spend forever with you here at the No Phailed Apples Farm.”
Her heart filled. “That’s handy as I want the same thing.”
He grinned at her again, and then they let the peace of the farm surround them as they strolled under the trees, the scent of fresh apples surrounding them.
Mara felt contentment right down to her toes. “I like this date.”
Seth chuckled. “We’re almost there.”
That had her stumbling. “What? A romantic stroll isn’t the date?”
“Sort of, but this date has another element.”
“What is it?”
“Not telling you, Chaos Machine. You’ll see in a few minutes.”
Curiosity zipped through her, but she kept her questions inside. Whatever Seth had planned, she didn’t want to ruin it for him.
It wasn’t long before she spotted a bright light surrounding the Worminator. Voices drifted through the evening, filled with fun and laughter. “We’re having a date at the Worminator?”
“Yep. I promise you’ll like it.”
Knowing he’d have planned something more romantic than compost, Mara squeezed his hand and followed him around the Worminator’s corner.
Except for Charlie and Ella, everyone from the farm filled the space. Lawn chairs faced the Worminator’s back wall, which was covered in white sheets. A table held snacks and coolers with drinks. “What’s going on?”
Jolie grinned and hugged her. “You’re going to love it. Your man knows how to plan a date.”
Olivia grinned. “And it’s giving Charlie his first official babysitting job. He’s probably putting Ella Mae to bed as we speak. Then he’s got popcorn and a new book. He’ll call if he needs us, but I know he’ll be fine.”
Nash’s arm came around her shoulders. “Relax, Mama, he’s got it covered.”
Olivia leaned into Nash. “You’re right. She’s in excellent hands.”
Soon, everyone except Ford was seated. He stood at the back, beside a small table holding a projector. “Seth wanted us all to crash your date. Welcome to the Worminator Movie Night.”
Mara laughed and turned to kiss Seth. “I love it. What are we watching?”
Seth grinned. “I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I have it on good authority that it’s not bad.”
Ford started the projector, and a bright light covered the Worminator screen.
Mara watched, waiting for a clue to tell her which movie he’d chosen for their date.
From the back, Ford called out. “Prepare yourselves, people. I suspect there will be a lot of singing while we watch the Nazis get taken down.”
Her heart flared, and she flung her arms around Seth. “The Sound of Music?”
He nodded and hugged her back. “You said it’s one of your favorites, right?”
“At the very top of the list.”
Then the movie began with sweeping views of Austria’s beautiful mountains, and music that was just as majestic filled the air and her heart. Julie Andrews appeared on screen and filled Mara’s soul with that glorious voice.
She gripped Seth’s hand as the music called to her. Then she was singing, with many of her friends joining in with the iconic songs.
The movie pulled her in, as it always did. She laughed when Maria found the frog in her pocket and the pine cone on her chair. Joy filled her as the children learned to love music and find fun in the city they’d never explored.
When Maria returned to the abbey, Mara’s heart ached with sorrow, and Seth hugged her to his side.
When Captain Von Trapp found Maria in the gazebo, her heart filled again, knowing that the scene would ease the ache.
The song, “Something Good”, always reminded her that good things happened when you followed your heart and your dreams. There was something incredibly romantic about the scene.
Maria’s gaze filled with love and hope, the deep timbre of the Captain’s voice, the soft lighting all worked together to make the scene just about perfect.
Then the screen went blank after the first verse. She groaned and turned to see what had happened. Except Seth stood and took her hands to lift her to her feet.
Lights flickered around them, but she couldn’t tear her gaze from Seth’s soft smile.
Then he dropped to one knee. “Mara Evans, like Captain Von Trapp, I’ve found my something good.”
She gasped, and her eyes filled instantly with tears.
Seth held her hands. “You’re full of good and joy.
Your heart is tender and filled with compassion.
I love how you spread your love with your treats and your songs.
You helped me deal with my past and face my future.
A future that will be filled with love and fun.
I love you more than I knew was possible, Mara.
I want it all. A marriage, kids, a kitchen we share in the good times and the tough times.
I want to have you at my side while I stand at yours.
Together, we can do anything. What do you say, Chaos Machine? Will you marry me?”
She flung herself at him, and he rose to catch her in his arms. “Of course, I’ll marry you, Seth. I love you so much.”
He slipped a beautiful ring onto her finger. Diamonds were embedded around the band, meaning she could wear it when baking. “It’s beautiful.”
“Just like you.” Seth kissed her finger and then whirled her in a circle. He squeezed her tightly while he whispered his love in her ear. “Forever, Chaos Machine. Forever.”
She nodded, wanting to make a Mr. Dirty comment, but the surrounding cheers finally penetrated.
Laughing, she pulled back to see her friends cheering. Ford grinned and pointed at the screen. Instead of Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, the screen was filled with a video chat showing her dad and her brothers, who laughed and applauded.
Overwhelmed, she pulled Seth down for a kiss. “I can’t believe you did all this. You’re an amazing man, Seth. I love you so much.”
The next kiss wasn’t nearly as soft or sweet.
Then Clark whistled on screen. No one could whistle like Clark. Laughing, she broke the kiss, but kept her arms around the man she loved. The man who was now her fiancé.
Clark grinned at her. “Keep it PG, sis. You’re surrounded by friends and family.”
Her face flushed, but she didn’t really care. Her family knew she loved Seth, and they all approved.
Tate grinned at her. “I hear you chose a romantic movie, Seth. Maybe should have been the Rocky Horror Picture Show. She can be a bit of a horror, you know.”